• Ahmad A Hazzazi, Mohssen H Ageeli, Abdulaziz M Alfaqih, Amnah K Zakri, and Erwa E Elmakki.
• Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. Ahmad.Amdamr@gmail.com.
• Saudi Med J. 2019 Oct 1; 40 (10): 1045-1051.

ObjectivesTo identify the knowledge and attitudes of medical students at Jazan University towards hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: This cross-sectional study involved all medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, between October 2018 and February 2019. Data were collected using a questionnaire that has been  used in a previous study conducted at Mayo Medical School, Minnesota, USA. Results: Out of 800 students, 744 completed the questionnaire (the response rate was 93%). Sixty-seven students (9%) were already registered in the Saudi stem cell donor registry (SSCDR). The participants' knowledge on donor eligibility was 37.4% and the donation process was 23.6%. Registered students were more likely to join the registry if there was a drive in their area (n=65 [97%], p=0.000), and more likely to donate stem cells to any matched patient (n=58 [86.6%], p=0.000). The main concern of the participants was the long-term side effects (48%). Conclusion: Most students lack the knowledge on HSCT. However, the students who registered in SSCDR had better knowledge and attitudes towards HSCT than the unregistered. Long-term side effects of HSCT were the most common concern of the participants. However, time commitment was the major concern of the registered students.

15 keywords...

hide…